To survive, we need to eat nutritious foods to maintain optimum body function- well enough to have energy and sustain day to day activities. Approximately, about 76 million Americans experience food borne illnesses each year. Quite alarming right? Below is a list of the top 10 foods that can be perilous if not screened and prepared properly, a distressing fact that you should be aware of:

1. Alfalfa Sprouts
According to Dr. Michael Doyle, director of Food Safety at University of Georgia, sprouts are considered to be top of the list when it comes to potential problems. The stipulation started due to the process of making these sprouts which supports growth of harmful bacteria. For the sprouts to grow, the seeds are saturated and reserved moist – which causes the formation of microorganisms such as salmonella, which is said to be the most common illness linked with sprouts.
2. Cantaloupe
Recently in Honduras, additional importing of cantaloupes was needed due to salmonella contamination. Primarily focused on variety of melons, the fruit peelings can quay the bacteria and could easily be transferred to the edible flesh inside once sliced. Hygienic handling of such is highly advised.


3. Salad Bar Fixings
There are many salad ingredients available in the market, some of them come in chopped packages ready to be mixed with any customized meal. We may think buying those will be very convenient in our part, but letting other people do the preparations can cause unhealthy surprises. Factors contributing to possible unsafe salad bars include ingredients not kept hot or cold enough and unhygienic handling of food by workers.
4. Eggs
The good news about egg is that, statistics show only one in every 10,000 egg has salmonella. Although it has a very low risk of causing health threat, we as consumers, should not take it for granted. It is important to cook eggs thoroughly.
5. Rare Beef
Ingesting raw or rare beef is always been a bit risky. Why? Beef has the potential to carry contributory agents such as salmonella and E.coli; both can cause contamination of any meat. The only way to completely guarantee that beef meats are bacteria free is to buy irradiate them. Ground beef is said to be risky than steak, because it is handled more and has greater surface area to harbor bacteria.

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